Expert Advice for Policymakers.
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New Mission

Serve as a trusted, nonpartisan source of expert science and technology advice for California policymakers, powered by a world-class partner network.

New Vision

A resilient and prosperous California that thrives on partnerships between science, technology, and policy communities.

Channeling Partnerships for California’s Prosperity

California is a proving ground for bold ideas, leading the world in science, technology, and innovation. The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) exists to harness those advantages, channeling partnerships across institutions to be a leading source of nonpartisan, world-class science and technology expert advice for policymakers.

CCST empowers policymakers with the very best evidence and insight the state has to offer, engaging leading experts to support our vision of a resilient and prosperous California. By fostering strong connections between the science, technology, and policy communities, we help policymakers navigate complex challenges, anticipate emerging issues, and make decisions that ensure a resilient future.

California’s leadership is needed now more than ever. As the science and technology communities face unprecedented challenges, CCST identified a fresh slate of research and resource initiatives that will empower policymakers to secure Califor­nia’s resilience, prosperity, and global science and technology leadership for decades to come.

How We Work

Partner Institutions

CCST operates in partnership with, and receives financial and mission support from, a world-class network of public and private higher education institutions and federally funded research institutions throughout California:

Science & Technology Policy Fellows

Since 2009, CCST has placed PhD scientists and engineers in the California State Legislature, State Agencies, and Offices of the Governor to provide direct, readily available support for solving critical policy challenges.

Expert Convenings and Studies

CCST engages its expert network for cross-sector convenings, State-requested peer-reviewed studies, legislative briefings, workshops, trainings, and more to bring the latest science and technology research to policymakers.

New in this Strategic Plan 

• Policy staff academies on cross-cutting science and technology issue areas 
• Placing Senior-level Science Advisors for Executive Agency leadership
• Advancing key initiatives on artificial intelligence, energy, disaster resilience, and more

1. Equip California policymakers with trusted and timely expertise.

Support California policymakers as a go-to partner for science and technology expertise, engaging our partner network and broader community to provide innovative programs, reliable advice, and resources to strengthen evidence-based policymaking.

a. Launch a policy staff academy focused on cross-cutting, timely science and technology policy issues. 

Develop a professional development program for bipartisan policy staff that equips them with the science and technology knowledge they need to advise on policies across current issue areas.

b. Establish a science residency program to support Executive Agency leadership with science advisement. 

Place senior-level Science Advisors in the Offices of California Cabinet Secretaries to provide scientific resources and support at-the-ready. Modeled after the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director and adapted for State Agencies.

c. Deploy “Resource Teams” for on-the-ground science and technology advisory support.

Provide policymakers access to on-call expertise in targeted issue areas that require technical knowledge and fast-paced turnarounds.

2. Strengthen California’s science and technology policy talent pipeline.

Channel the nation’s brightest PhD scientists and engineers into public service in California and expand other opportunities to grow the next generation of science and technology policy leaders.

a. Meet the rising demand from policymakers for CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows. 

Expand the Fellowship to meet rising demand from policymakers, provide more opportunities for PhD scientists to explore policy careers, and give California a well-stocked pool of talented science policy experts.

b. Harness policy interest among students and early career experts for training and development. 

Improve access to high-quality professional and workforce development opportunities around science and technology policy for students and early-career experts.

c. Increase support for other science and technology policy programs and fellowships.

Actively support other nonpartisan science and technology policy programs and fellowships to improve policy development nationwide.

3. Anticipate California’s future opportunities and challenges.

Provide forward-looking guidance to prepare policymakers for emerging issues, long-term trends, and technological change through expert insight and recommendations that ensure California’s resilience and continued science and technology leadership.

a. Advance key initiatives for California’s future.

Provide guidance on emerging issues and long-term challenges, including artificial intelligence, energy, disaster resilience, and more, hosting cross-sectoral convenings and providing in-depth studies, analysis, and recommendations for policymakers.

b. Position CCST as a knowledge hub for emerging and long-term challenges.

Enhance our repository of short-form publications—primers, backgrounders, and one pagers—designed to guide near-term policy decisions.

c. Build California’s resilient future by learning from global science policy experience. 

Through collaboration with international partners, adapt global best practices to shape forward-looking, evidence-based policies.

4. Integrate California’s science, technology, and policy communities.

Foster a dynamic, readily-accessible network of science, technology, and policy experts who collaborate across sectors to generate innovative ideas and practical solutions for policymakers.

a. Supercharge our network of experts.

Enable our expert network to engage with relevant policy issues, providing the tools and opportunities they need to support policymakers with timely guidance.

b. Build consensus on California’s most challenging issues by convening experts across sectors and communities.

Meet our network where they are, including hosting regional science, technology, and policy communities across California, connecting members throughout our network to identify solutions.

c. Connect new policymakers to California’s science community. 

Equip new policymakers with trusted resources and experts by providing workshops, briefings, overviews of our reports, and introductions to Science and Technology Policy Fellows and partners.